Birdcage feeder

ABSTRACT

A birdcage feeding device is provided with a seed chamber, seed cup, and method of attachment. The feeding device comprises an opening that may be opened or closed in order to displace seeds from a feeding chamber to fill a seed cup. The seed cup is designed to be shallow such that seeds do not get buried under layers of empty shells and hulls. The seed cup also has high rear and side walls to guard seeds from being scattered outside by birds. The feeding device may be closed to allow a user to remove the seed cup, without removing the device, for cleaning. A method of attachment is also described that allows the device to be on the outside of the birdcage while being secured from the inside of the cage, thus allowing for easy refilling of the device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/371,646 filed Feb. 21, 2003, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. Application 60/370,200 filed Apr. 5, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of birdcageattachments. More specifically, the present invention is related tobirdcage feeding devices.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Current birdcage attachments that store bird seed are inefficient. Oneprior method of storing seed may be to place the seed in a cup thatattaches to the inside of the cage bars. A problem with this method isthat seed often spills while filling the cup or while placing it in thecage. Further, birds may scatter seeds outside the cage while feeding,or sit on the edge of the cup and possibly defecate into the cup,spoiling the seeds. Other existing methods utilize a seed chamber thatfeeds into a cup to allow birds' access to the food. However, thechamber is typically filled and the entire unit is mounted on theoutside of a cage. A major disadvantage, besides those mentioned above,is that the entire unit must be removed from the cage for refilling.Also, when removing the seed chamber, if the chamber is not completelyempty, seeds that are still in the chamber may fall out into the cup,cage, and outside of the cage. Furthermore, both prior methods utilizecups that tend to be deep. The deeper cups typically accumulate layersof empty seed shells and husks, thus burying seeds. Often, bird keepersdiscard a large amount of good seeds since it appears that the cups arefilled with only empty shells.

There is, therefore, a desire for a birdcage feeding device that allowsfor easy refilling of a seed chamber without the possibility of spillingand a device that reduces wasting good bird feed while allowing for easymounting and dismounting of the chamber from a cage.

Whatever the precise merits, features, and advantages of the above citedreferences, none of them achieves or fulfills the purposes of thepresent invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A birdcage feeding device is provided having a unique seed cup andholder. The seed cup comprises extended rear and side walls forpreventing spilling of seeds and protecting seed contamination via birddefecation. The seed cup also has a shallow opening for holding only afew layers of seed in order to prevent waste. The holder is mounted tothe birdcage such that a seed cup may be removed without removing theentire device from the birdcage. The holder is preferably mounted to theoutside of the birdcage, thus allowing for easily refilling the feedchamber of seed. Fasteners are used for the attachment of the seed cupto the holder. The use of posts on the holder for preventing thespilling of seed is also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a illustrates a birdcage feeding device of the present invention.

FIG. 1 b illustrates a rear view of the birdcage feeding device.

FIG. 1 c illustrates a front view of the birdcage feeding device.

FIG. 1 d illustrates a side view of the birdcage feeding device.

FIG. 2 illustrates the components of the birdcage feeding device.

FIG. 3 a illustrates the attachment of the birdcage feeding device to abirdcage with vertically spaced bars.

FIG. 3 b illustrates the attachment of the birdcage feeding device to abirdcage with horizontally spaced bars.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view showing an open-close guide of the seedreservoir.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is illustrated and described in a preferredembodiment, the device may be produced in many different configurations,forms and materials. There is depicted in the drawings, and will hereinbe described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention, withthe understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and the associatedfunctional specifications for its construction and is not intended tolimit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in theart will envision many other possible variations within the scope of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d illustrate perspective, rear, front, andside views (respectively) of a birdcage attachment; specifically, afeeding device that allows for easy refilling and allows small birds toacquire and eat seeds inside a birdcage. As shown in FIGS. 1 a-1 d,birdcage feeding device 100 comprises seed holding device 102, designedto be located on the outside of the cage and to deliver seedgravitationally, and attachment device 104, designed to be secured to amounting plate on the birdcage from the outside of the cage. Theattachment of the device 100 is discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates the components of the birdcage feeding device of thepresent invention. Feeding device 102 of the present invention comprisesfeed chamber 200, ramp 202, outflow opening 222, and cap 204. Ramp 202is angled such that the seed in chamber 200 flows easier through outflowopening 222. Cap 204 is designed to be placed into the top of feedchamber 200. The top of feed chamber 200 is discussed in greater detailin FIG. 4 below.

Attachment device 104 comprises holder 206, screw post 210, nut 212,fasteners 214, and mounting plate 226. Although a screw post isillustrated in the figures, it should be noted that any type ofmechanism, such as a push-lock, snap-lock, or the like that allow theholder to be locked from the inside of the birdcage and secure thefeeding device to the birdcage may also be used. Furthermore, referringback to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, fastener 210 preferably comprises arestraining device 110 within opening 108 of mounting plate 226.Fastener 210 is placed through hole 106 of mounting plate 226 to connectwith cap 212. As fastener 210 is tightened, restraining device 110slides within opening 108 to tighten around a birdcage and device 100 issecured. Methods of attaching device 100 to a birdcage are furtherdiscussed in FIG. 3A and 3B.

Holder 206 comprises opening 220 allowing feeding device 102 to beinserted therein. Holder 206 and mounting plate 226 have an opening todispense seeds by gravity from seed holding device 102 and fasteners 214that are to lock and hold internal seed cup 208. Seed cup 208 comprisesopening 224 that is designed to align with holder 206 and outflowopening 222 of chamber 200 such that feed may flow out and into seedholding section 218. Seed cup 208 is removable and designed to hold asmall amount of seed accessible to the bird(s) in the birdcage. Seedholding section 218 of seed cup 208 is shallow such that it is only ableto hold a small number of layers, such as three or four layers of seed.This ensures that seeds do not get buried under layers of empty seedshells and husks, which tend to accumulate as the bird feeds. This alsodecreases the amount of wasted seed that may be discarded since emptyshells will not cover all of the good seeds.

Preferably, as seen in FIG. 2, seed cup 208 has extended side guardwalls 216 and rear wall 232. The high rear and sidewalls are designed toact as seed guards. Fewer seeds, then, are scattered outside the cup andcage as the birds are feeding. Besides their height, the extended sideguard walls 216 are also designed to have a downward, curving shape todiscourage birds from sitting and resting on the edge of the cup. Thisaids in reducing bird defecation into cup 208 that spoils the seeds heldtherein.

Seed cup 208 also has two elongated slots 234 (one shown) in rear wall232 that allow the opening 224 of the cup to be aligned and locked withholder 206 so that seed is dispensed in seed holding section 218.Fasteners 214 of holder 206 are placed through slots 234 and the cup islocked into place by pulling cup 208 down. Fasteners 214 work withholder 206 to hold cup 208 in a steady state, as well as allow cup 208to be removed without removing the entire device from the birdcage. FIG.1 c also illustrates how fasteners 214 are locked in slots 234.

Also illustrated in FIG. 2 are vertical and horizontal posts 228, 230(respectively) on the face of mounting plate 226. Two vertical and threehorizontal posts are shown; however, the amount of posts used on themounting plate should not be limited to the number illustrated as anynumber of posts may perform a similar function. Posts 228 and 230 areprovided to aid in mounting birdcage device 100 as well as work inconjunction with the bars of the birdcage to block the seed from fallingout and on to the floor (as described below).

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate the method of attachment of the birdcagefeeding device to vertically-oriented bars and horizontally-orientedbars, respectively. As previously mentioned, the method of attachmentallows feeding device 102 and holder 206 to be on the outside of thebirdcage while being secured from the inside of the cage. Holder 206 isdesigned to be attached to the outside of the cage via mounting plate226, screw post 210 and nut 212. Screw post 210 and fasteners 214 ofmounting plate 226 are placed through the bars of the birdcage. As shownin FIG. 3 a, vertical posts 228 are positioned such that they will fitbetween the vertical bars of a birdcage. Horizontal bars 230 are spacedbetween the bars of the birdcage and thus space the device in order toprevent the seed from falling out and onto the floor. On the contrary,FIG. 3 b illustrates the method of positioning horizontal posts 230 suchthat they will fit with the horizontal bars of a birdcage. Vertical bars228 in this case are spaced between the horizontal bars and thus serveto space the device and to prevent the seed from falling out and ontothe floor. Once the device is positioned with the birdcage, seed cup 208is placed inside the cage such that the fasteners 214 align and lock inslots 234 of rear wall 232 of seed cup 208. Also, nut 212 is screwedonto screw post 210 from the inside of the birdcage until holder 206 islocked in place.

The top of feed chamber 200 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 4.FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of birdcage feeding device 100 assembledon cage 402. Feeding chamber 200 is located on the outside the birdcageand cup 208 is shown on the inside of the birdcage. Chamber 200comprises an “open” position 404 or “close” position 406. As previouslyshown, chamber 200 comprises ramp 202 and outflow opening 222 to allowfeed to flow out. In the preferred embodiment, chamber 200 may rotatefrom an on-off or open-closed position. That is, a user may rotatechamber 200 such that outflow opening is “closed” 406. Similarly, a usermay also rotate chamber 200 to an “open” position 404 to allow seed toflow into cup 208. The positions are designed to be used as a guide forallowing or prohibiting seed delivery from chamber 200 to cup 208.

To refill chamber 200, cap 204 is easily removed from the top of feedingchamber 200, and seeds may be poured into the top of chamber 200. Toclean cup 208, a user must rotate feed chamber 200 to a “close” position406, then lift cup 208 such that the holes in the cup unlock and arewithdrawn from fasteners 214. Thus, contrary to prior art devices, theentire birdcage feeding device 100 never has to be detached from thecage when refilling chamber 200 or cleaning seed cup 208.

CONCLUSION

A system and method has been shown in the above embodiments for theeffective implementation of a birdcage feeding device. While variouspreferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will beunderstood that there is no intent to limit the invention by suchdisclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications andalternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention, as defined in the appended claims. For example, the presentinvention should not be limited by size, materials, or specificmanufacturing techniques. The design and shape of the seed chamber,holder, and seed cup should not be limited to those shown in the figuressuch that they perform the same function and method of attachment to thecage. Finally, the type of fastener and cap construction and method forlocking the devices together such that the birdcage watering device issecured to the cage should also not be limited to the screw fastener asshown in the figures.

1. A birdcage feeder comprising: a seed holding device comprising a seedchamber, lid, and opening for delivering seed, a holder comprising amounting plate receiving said seed holding device, said mounting platemounted to the outside of a birdcage, and a seed cup removably attachedto said mounting plate from inside said birdcage to receive seeds fromsaid seed holding device.
 2. A birdcage feeder as per claim 1, whereinsaid seed holding device is rotatable to an open or closed position,delivering seed from said seed chamber to said seed cup.
 3. A birdcagefeeder as per claim 1, wherein said opening comprises an angled ramp toinduce gravitational feed of seed.
 4. A birdcage feeder as per claim 1,wherein said lid of said seed holding device may be removed forrefilling said chamber.
 5. A birdcage feeder as per claim 1, whereinsaid seed cup is removably attached to said mounting plate viafasteners.
 6. A birdcage feeder as per claim 1, wherein said holdercomprises fasteners for locking said seed cup to said mounting plate. 7.A birdcage feeder as per claim 1, wherein said holder comprises postsfor facilitating the mounting of the device and preventing seed fromfalling out of said seed cup.
 8. A birdcage feeder as per claim 1,wherein said mounting plate is secured via a screw post and nut.
 9. Abirdcage feeder as per claim 1, wherein said seed cup has a shallow seedholding section.
 10. A birdcage feeder as per claim 1, wherein said seedcup has an opening aligning with said opening of said seed holdingdevice.
 11. A birdcage feeder as per claim 1, wherein said seed cup hasextended guard walls.
 12. A birdcage feeder as per claim 11, whereinsaid guard walls comprise side walls having a downward, curving shape.13. A birdcage feeder as per claim 11, wherein said guard walls comprisea rear wall having slots for locking with fasteners on said mountingplate.
 14. A birdcage feeder as per claim 11, wherein said guard wallsprevent seeds from scattering.
 15. A birdcage feeder as per claim 11,wherein said guard walls prevent entrance of defecation.
 16. A birdcagefeeder as per claim 9, wherein said shallow seed holding sectionprevents the accumulation of empty hulls.
 17. A birdcage feedercomprising: a rotatable seed holding device comprising a seed chamberhaving an opening near its base for delivering seed, a holder, receivingsaid seed holding device, said holder having an opening togravitationally pass seed from said opening of said seed chamber, and aseed cup removably attached to said holder to receive seeds from saidseed holding device.
 18. A birdcage feeder as per claim 17, wherein saidholder is mounted to the outside of a birdcage.
 19. A birdcage feeder asper claim 17, wherein said seed cup is removably attached from theinside of a birdcage.
 20. A birdcage feeder as per claim 17, whereinsaid seed holding device is rotatable to an open or closed position,delivering seed from said seed chamber to said seed cup.
 21. A birdcagefeeder as per claim 17, wherein said opening comprises an angled ramp toinduce gravitational feed of seed.
 22. A birdcage feeder as per claim17, wherein said seed chamber comprises a lid removed for refilling saidchamber.
 23. A birdcage feeder as per claim 17, wherein said holdercomprises a mounting plate.
 24. A birdcage feeder as per claim 17,wherein said seed cup is removably attached to said mounting plate viafasteners.
 25. A birdcage feeder as per claim 17, wherein said holder issecured to the outside of a birdcage via a screw post and nut.
 26. Abirdcage feeder as per claim 17, wherein said holder comprises fastenersfor locking said seed cup in said birdcage.
 27. A birdcage feeder as perclaim 17, wherein said holder comprises posts for facilitating themounting of the device and preventing seed from falling out of said seedcup.
 28. A birdcage feeder as per claim 17, wherein said seed cup has ashallow seed holding section.
 29. A birdcage feeder as per claim 17,wherein said seed cup has an opening aligning with said opening of saidseed holding device.
 30. A birdcage feeder as per claim 17, wherein saidseed cup has extended guard walls.
 31. A birdcage feeder as per claim30, wherein said guard walls comprise side walls having a downward,curving shape.
 32. A birdcage feeder as per claim 30, wherein said guardwalls comprise a rear wall having slots for locking with fasteners onsaid mounting plate.
 33. A birdcage feeder as per claim 30, wherein saidguard walls prevent seeds from scattering.
 34. A birdcage feeder as perclaim 30, wherein said guard walls prevent entrance of defecation.
 35. Abirdcage feeder as per claim 28, wherein said shallow seed holdingsection prevents the accumulation of empty hulls.
 36. A birdcage feedercomprising: a seed holding device comprising a seed chamber and openingfor delivering seed, a holder receiving said seed holding device, and aseed cup removably attached to said holder comprising extended rear andside guard walls, a shallow seed holding section, and an opening forreceiving seed from said seed holding device.
 37. A birdcage feeder asper claim 36, wherein said holder is mounted to the outside of abirdcage.
 38. A birdcage feeder as per claim 36, wherein said seed cupis removably attached from the inside of a birdcage.
 39. A birdcagefeeder as per claim 36, wherein said seed holding device is rotatable toan open or closed position, delivering seed from said seed chamber tosaid seed cup.
 40. A birdcage feeder as per claim 36, wherein saidopening comprises an angled ramp to induce gravitational feed of seed.41. A birdcage feeder as per claim 36, wherein said seed holding devicecomprises a lid removed for refilling said chamber.
 42. A birdcagefeeder as per claim 36, wherein said holder comprises a mounting plate.43. A birdcage feeder as per claim 36, wherein said seed cup isremovably attached to said mounting plate via fasteners.
 44. A birdcagefeeder as per claim 36, wherein said holder is secured to the outside ofa birdcage via a screw post and nut.
 45. A birdcage feeder as per claim36, wherein said holder comprises fasteners for locking said seed cup insaid birdcage.
 46. A birdcage feeder as per claim 36, wherein saidholder comprises posts for facilitating the mounting of the device andpreventing seed from falling out of said seed cup.
 47. A birdcage feederas per claim 36, wherein said side guard walls comprise a downward,curving shape.
 48. A birdcage feeder as per claim 36, wherein said rearguard wall comprises slots for locking with fasteners on said mountingplate.
 49. A birdcage feeder as per claim 36, wherein said seed cup hasan opening aligning with said opening of said seed holding device.
 50. Abirdcage feeder as per claim 36, wherein said guard walls prevent seedsfrom scattering.
 51. A birdcage feeder as per claim 36, wherein saidguard walls prevent entrance of defecation.
 52. A birdcage feeder as perclaim 36, wherein said shallow seed holding section prevents theaccumulation of empty hulls.